Comedian Max Bygraves dies

Comedian Max Bygraves died today at the age of 89. Many celebrities including Boy George, Paul Daniels and Danny Baker paid tribute on Twitter.

Veteran entertainer Des O'Connor said Bygraves had been a massive influence on his own career and had given him valuable guidance when he started out.

He said he wrote to him asking him for help and he was touched when he replied with a two-page handwritten letter full of advice.

O'Connor said: "I used to use it as a rule book when I was starting out and over the years everything he's said has been helpful to me."

He described Bygraves as a "top, top professional".

He added: "They (audiences) loved him. He had a really homely humour. He had his catchphrase and he sold a lot of records. He was a good all-round performer. He was a lovely man, I can only say nice things about him."

Max Bygraves' agent Johhny Mans tells ITV News the entertainer could "command an audience from the word go."

Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, a close friend of Bygraves, has paid tribute to "one of the greats of British entertainment".

"I have nothing but lovely memories of him. He was a big, big influence on me, " he told BBC News.

Mr Tarbuck added: "He had the audience in the palm of his hand quicker than any other comedian I have seen.

"They loved him and you don't get that love very often.

"He had a great deal of charm.

"He could be very cheeky - he was a rascal.

"He would stroll on and just wow them. He was one of the all-time greats of British entertainment - a king of the Palladium.

"He would have them roaring with laughter, singing along and with a tear in their eye."

Veteran entertainer Max Bygraves died peacefully in his sleep at home in Hope Island, Queensland, Australia, yesterday.

His agent Johnny Mans said:

Comedian and variety performer Max Bygraves has died in Australia aged 89. his agent said.

Bygraves - who was well known for presenting Family Fortunes - had been reportedly suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.